Increasing Frequency of Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Test Strips During Pregnancy: A Review of the Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness and Guidelines

Question

What is the clinical effectiveness of increasing the frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose test strips in patients with pre-gestational Type I or Type II diabetes or who acquire gestational diabetes and are on insulin?

What is the cost-effectiveness of increasing the frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose test strips in patients with pre-gestational Type I or Type II diabetes or who acquire gestational diabetes and are on insulin?

What are the evidence-based guidelines associated with the use of self-monitoring of blood glucose test strips in patients with pre-gestational Type I or Type II diabetes or who acquire gestational diabetes and are on insulin?

Key Message

No relevant clinical or economic studies were found. One Canadian guideline on diabetes and pregnancy recommended self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG), to be performed at least four times per day, irrespective to the use of insulin, while a US guideline recommended SMBG for all pregnant women with diabetes and suggested that SMBG should be performed before and after each meal, at bedtime, and during the night.